Physical and sexual violence on college campuses: considerations for international students

Objective: Physical and sexual violence are pervasive concerns on college campuses. Previous research indicates minority populations may be at increased risk for exposure to violence, therefore, international students may represent a vulnerable population. The present study examined differences between international and domestic students regarding the experience of violence and variables related to violence intervention. Participants: Domestic and international colleges students (n?=?829) at a Midwestern university in the United States participated in an online survey. Method: Questions assessed experiences of physical and sexual violence, rape myth acceptance, bystander confidence, and readiness to help. Descriptive statistics, chi squares, and independent sample t-tests were conducted to determine differences between groups. Results: Analyses showed no association between international student status and lifetime exposure to violence. Differences were found on acceptance of rape myths and bystander confidence. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the potential benefit of tailored violence prevention and intervention efforts.